Danchi 団地 (literally, “group land”) were and are apartment building complexes built after the end of World War II to absorb Japan’s surging urban population. The term is unlikely to be used for contemporary construction, but many old complexes are still in use, though they are increasingly faced with demolition..

Completed in 1958, Asagaya Housing danchi, near Minamiasagaya Station 南阿佐ケ谷駅, is located in Suginami City 杉並区, one of Tokyo’s 23 central “Special Wards”. It is a desirable location, served by the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line 東京地下鉄丸ノ内線, and more centrally located than many other Tokyo-area danchi, which are located in the neighboring Chiba, Kanagawa, and Saitama prefectures.

So how was the Asagaya danchi able to secure such a plum location? Swampy ground appears to be the answer. The danchi sits on the northern banks of the Zenpukujigawa river 善福寺川; this area was a marshy expanse in 1946, according to a period map (below, left). It’s precisely this swampiness that makes this stretch of river one of the most verdant and uncrowded in all of Tokyo.

A demolition plan for Asagaya danchi was announced several years ago, and by 2012 most of the units were unoccupied. Demolition started in April 2013. You can see the remarkable changes in the aerial photographs below:

1996

2014 (after primary demolition)

The changes are even more remarkable from the ground. A before and after (map) showing the same spot with the old danchi (2012), after demolition (2014), and during construction of its replacement (2015).

Photos of Asagaya Danchi from the same location (2012, 2014, 2015):

2012

2014

2015

The new development, “Proud City Asagaya” 「プラウドシティ阿佐ヶ谷」, is scheduled to be completed in between 2016 and 2017 (page 18). It is not surprising that promotional materials emphasis the site’s trees and the nearby river:

Proud City Asagaya, new apartment complex replacing the old Asagaya danchi.

Map and artist’s rendering:

When I visited the old danchi in July 2012, a handful of units were still occupied. Overall, the buildings were in various stages of disrepair, but mostly still standing. Despite the condition of the buildings, the grounds were lovely, full of grass and trees, and remarkably quiet. It’s easy to imagine enjoying a happy childhood here.

Here are some pictures from 2012:

I. Water tower and exteriors

II. Signs of danger and neglect

III. Signs of loneliness and abandonment

IV. All’s well that ends well; this old danchi wasn’t so bad

The following twitter account has a ton of pictures of Asagaya danchi:

[…] danchi near Minami-asagaya Station led to some dramatic before-and-after comparisons. See The rise and fall and rise of Asagaya Housing danchi 阿佐ヶ谷住宅. The following show the Asagaya Housing danchi in 2012 and 2014. The land was cleared to make way […]